INVERTEBRATE CONSERVATION FACT SHEET Pollinators in Natural Areas A Primer on Habitat Management

system service. It is estimated that 60 to 80 percent of the world’s 250,000 flowering plants depend on animals—mostly insects—for pollination (Kremen et al. 2007). Eighty-seven of the world’s 124 most commonly cultivated crops are animal pollinated, and insectpollinated forage plants such as alfalfa and clover provide feed for livestock. Roughly thirtyfive percent of global crop production is dependent on pollination by animals (Klein et al. 2006). Pollinators also sustain wildland plant communities that provide food and shelter for myriad other wildlife. As one of the most widespread and important ecosystem services in terrestrial environments, plant pollination by insects is essential to human health, global food webs, and protection of biodiversity. Anna’s northern blue. Photograph © Kim Davis and Mike Stangeland (www.kimandmikeontheroad.com)